Panel structure



July 10, 1934.

} INVENTOR. a) mum BY r ' ATTORNEYS.

July 10, 1934. COTTON 1,965,883

PANEL STRUCTURE Filed my 51. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 uggqli'uu Q /Iwm/swd "#4 f A TTORNEYS.

Patented July 10, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to an ornamental rustic fence structure, and particularly to a fence which is constructed in sections or panels so that the fence may be readily transported and set up or erected wherever required.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of fence structures of the character described; to provide a fence which is sectional in construction, that is, built up of panels or sections which may be readily erected and. assembled; to provide a panel structure for the purpose described which is rustic and artistic in appearance and which has the same appearance whether viewed from one side or the other; to provide a panel structure which is simple, durable and rigid in construction; and further, to provide a panel structure which is formed from the sawed segments of a log which, after assembly, are secured together in the form of panels by tie rods extending through the segments.

The fence structure, and particularly the panels employed, is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is an end view of a log showing the manner in which itis sawed to form a series of pickets.

Fig. 2 is a plan cross section of the pickets assembed in the form of a panel, said view also showing the manner in which the panel is secured with relation to a post or similar support. 7

Fig 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the manner in which a panel is secured to a post or like support.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing two panels erected and secured between two posts.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Figs. 1 and 2, A indicates the end of a log, which may be of any suitable length, depending upon the height of the fence desired. The log is sawed longitudinally along the dotted lines, indicated at 2, 3, 4 and 5, and eight segmental sections are thus produced, each section having an outer arcuate surface and two converging side faces which terminate in an apex The log from which the pickets are cut may be peeled prior to cutting, or the bark may be retained, this depending upon the finish of fence surface desired.

When the pickets have been out they are drilled transversely so that two or more tie rods may be passed therethrough, the form of tie rod employed being indicated at 6, see Figs. 2, 3 and 4. In assembling the segmental shaped pickets they are alternately reversed with relation to each other, 55 .as shown in Fig. 2. In this manner the arcuate faces of the respective segments will be presented to opposite sides of the panel and a'panel will be produced in which the side faces of the pickets are parallel and the exterior faces arcuate and identical; that is, the fence or panel will have the same appearance, whether viewed from one side or the other.

' The converging side faces of the pickets, indicated at 7 and 8 in Fig. 2, may contact with each other when the tie rods 6 are passed therethrough, or they may be slightly spaced apart by introducing washers 9, or like spacing members, between the same. If the bark is permitted to re'- main a bark finish surface is obtained but if the bark is peeled off a peeled log surface finish will be obtained, either surface being rustic and artistic in appearance. The panels may be made any height desired and any length, as any number of tie rods may be employed. In Fig. 4, two tie rods are shown and that may be sufiicient for a fence, for instance three or four feet high. If it is higher, three or more tie rods may be employed.

The end pickets forming the panel are preferably formed, as shown in Fig. 2, and they are recessed as shown at 10 to receive the ends of the tie rods and to permit clamping nuts 11 to be applied. The tie rods must in all circumstances extend beyond the ends of the nuts 11 so as to provide an extension whereby a connection may be made with a post or the like. A suitable form of post is shown at B in Figs. 2 and 3. This is recessed in opposite sides, as indicated at 12, and a short rod 14 is passed through the post and secured at opposite ends by clamping nuts 15. A short threaded extension 16 is provided and this extension, together with the extension 1'7 formed on the tie rod 6, is provided to receive a right and left hand threaded sleeve 18 which, when rotated in one direction for instance by a hexagonal shaped collar 19, or the like, will draw the ends of the rod 6 and 14 together and thus secure the panel with relation to the posts; the only spacing required between the ends of the panels and the post being a space for the turning collar or hexagonal extension 19. The tie rods are, of course, hidden within the pickets and so are the clamping nuts 11 and the extension 1'7. The same is also true of the securing means carried by the post, hence fence nails or anything of a similar nature is eliminated and the fence produced will have the same appearance whether viewed from one side or the other.

The construction is exceedingly simple; it is rigid and substantial and is economically manufactured and assembled and decidedly artistic in finish and appearance.

While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically described, I wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.- Similarly, that the materials and finish of the several side by side, said pickets being segmental shaped in cross section, to present an outer arcuatesurface and converging side faces terminating in an apex, said pickets being alternately reversed when placed side by side so that they will present their arcuate surfaces to opposite sides of the panel, and means securing the pickets in side by side relation. Y

2. A panel structure of the character described comprising a plurality of pickets placed side by side, said pickets being segmental shaped in cross section, to present an outer arcuate surface and converging side faces terminating in an apex, said pickets being alternately reversed when placed side by side so that they will present their arcuate surfaces to opposite sides of the panel, and a plurality of tie rods extending laterally through the pickets to secure them in side by side relation.

3. A panel structure of the character described comprising a plurality of pickets placed side by side, said pickets being segmental shaped in cross section to present an outer arcuate surface and converging side faces terminating in an apex, said pickets being alternately reversed when placed side by side so that they will present theirarcuate surfaces to opposite sides of the panel, a plurality of tierods extending laterally through the pickets to secure them in side by side relation, and washers carried by the tie rods and disposed between the pickets to maintain the spacing between the same.

4. A panel structure of the character described comprising a plurality of pickets placed side by side, said pickets being segmental shaped in cross section to present an outer arcuate surface and converging side faces terminating in an apex, said pickets being alternately reversed when placed side by sideso that they will present their arcuate surfaces toopposite sides of the panel, a plurality of tie rods extending laterally through the pickets to secure them in side by side relation, a supporting member for each end of a panel, and means on the supporting members for receiving and securing the ends of the tie rods to secure the panels between the supports.

HORACE G. COTTON. 

